'The Kites' by Romain Gary is a beautifully written novel that offers a unique perspective on France during World War II. The story revolves around a young man in Normandy who falls in love with Lila amidst the backdrop of the French Resistance. The book delves into the complexities of human emotions and responses during wartime, portraying a vivid picture of ordinary people becoming heroes and the sacrifices made for the greater good. The theme of kites serves as a metaphor for the uplifting of the human spirit in the face of darkness and despair.
The author, Romain Gary, skillfully weaves together historical events and personal narratives, creating a captivating tale that explores themes of idealism, love, and morality. Through a cast of charming and touching characters, Gary manages to make a serious period of history playful, human, and imbued with the gravity it deserves. The book not only honors the bravery of individuals during wartime but also reflects on the need for something greater than ourselves to strive for, emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Kites include themes of war, violence, loss, and mental health struggles as characters deal with the impacts of World War II.
Has Romance?
The novel features a significant romantic subplot, particularly focused on the relationship between the protagonist and Lila, which is intricately woven into the story.
From The Publisher:
Romain Gary's bittersweet final masterpiece is "epic and empathetic" (BBC) and "one of his best" (The New York Times)
The Kites begins with a young boy, Ludo, coming of age on a small farm in Normandy under the care of his eccentric kite-making Uncle Ambrose. Ludo's life changes the day he meets Lila, a girl from the aristocratic Polish family that owns the estate next door. In a single glance, Ludo falls in love forever; Lila, on the other hand, disappears back into the woods. And so begins Ludo's adventure of longing, passion, and love for the elusive Lila, who begins to reciprocate his feelings just as Europe descends into World War II. After Germany invades Poland, Lila and her family go missing, and Ludo's devotion to saving her from the Nazis becomes a journey to save his love, his loved ones, his country, and ultimately himself.
Filled with unforgettable characters who fling all they have into the fight to keep their hopes-and themselves-alive, The Kites is Romain Gary's poetic call for resistance in whatever form it takes. A war hero himself, Gary embraced and fought for humanity in all its nuanced complexities, in the belief that a hero might be anyone who has the courage to love and hope.
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